Panama’s tax lottery has boosted consumption tax revenue by encouraging consumers to request receipts, with ITBMS collections rising 13.2% and Selective Consumption Tax revenue increasing 5% compared with pre-lottery levels.
Panama’s tax authority (DGI) has clarified on 13 August 2026 that the tax lottery has successfully increased government tax revenue by encouraging citizens to request receipts during purchases. Since the program launched on 28 August 2025, monthly collections from consumption taxes have risen. Director General of Revenue Camilo Valdés Mora presented these results at the IX International Congress of Tax Law, organised by the Tax Administrative Court.
Real estate transfer tax gains momentum
The Real Estate Transfer Tax on Sales (ITBMS) showed the strongest growth. From January to July 2025, before the lottery began, the average monthly revenue stood at PAB.82.9 million. Between August and December 2025, revenue increased to PAB 83.8 million per month. From January to June 2026, it reached PAB 93.9 million monthly. This represents a 13.2% increase compared to pre-lottery levels.
Selective consumption tax follows upward trajectory
The Selective Consumption Tax also gained traction. Pre-lottery revenue for January through July 2025 averaged PAB 57.9 million monthly. After the August 2025 launch, August through December 2025 collected PAB 60.6 million monthly. From January to June 2026, it averaged PAB 61.3 million monthly. This 5% increase demonstrates sustained impact.
Program mechanics and impact
The mechanism is simple. When taxpayers request a receipt during any purchase or service transaction, they automatically enter the lottery drawings. This incentive has transformed compliance behaviour, as citizens now actively participate in the tax system. The raffles operate by region across Panama’s provinces.
Upcoming lottery draws
Three regional draws are scheduled for August 2026. The first occurs on 18 August in Panama City and Panama Province (Region 1).
On 20 August, Region 2 holds its draw, covering Panama West, Darién, and Colón. Region 3, encompassing Herrera, Los Santos, and Coclé, conducts its draw on 27 August.
The deadline for submitting receipts is 14 August 2026.
